Diet Pill Advertising Deception, Before and After Photos

If you've ever bought a diet pill, most likely you were first attracted by the before and after pictures plastered all over the ads. If you look closesly at the bottom of the page, there is a message in fine print. It says that results are not typical and that these results were achieved by strict diet and exercise routines. This fine print statement completely contradicts diet pill company claims of no diet or exercise needed to lose weight. It is sneaky but perfectly legal because the fine print is there no matter how well hidden.
This probably comes of no suprise to many of you. On Wednesday, I was in Martha's VIneyard for a shoot with Diet.com video. I got to meet the Men's Fashion Director of Playboy (who is hilarious, and extremely sincere) and one of the best women's stylists in the industry for photo shoots. While we were chatting over a diet friendly home made meal, the women's stylist made a comment how they take the pictures for the ads the same day, sometimes!

I was in shock. Obviously I already had my hesitations because the before is always a slouched pose, unflattering clothing, no makeup or a smile. The after is always, great hair/makeup, super smiley, super tan and perfect posture. But I couldn't believe that they actually have the nerve to take the photo's the same day!

When I got back, I tried to look for any articles regarding these so called before and after pictures. The only dirt I could dig up was in fact calling them out on the people that are chosen. Of course they aren't Sally Jane who teaches second grade in Oklahoma, but rather body builders during their off season. Apparently these fitness models are even paid to gain weight just to lose it.

Celebrities that claim they lose weight in the tabloids with specific diet, I also think are a bunch of BS. Jessica Simpson for example, I am convinced was paid to endorse the four factor diet. If you look at any of the before and after pictures, she is clearly wearing unflattering pants (high wasted yuckies) with sour puss on her face, then in a cute little outfit, smiling and waving. Valerie Bertinelli has been recently rumored to not be losing any more weight on the Jenny Craig Diet, but WAS recently featured on the cover of People Magazine with Kirstie Alley, looking fabulous. Photoshop anyone? What do you guys think? Deception is an easy persuader to get people to buy your product. Should there be a disclaimer on ads for diet pills that say, "This pill has not been proven to be